This site offers resources, professional learning programs and links other related agencies assisting catechists and parish educators in their work supporting children and families in their parish.

Seeking to Live the Good News

Seeking to Live the Good News is a series which forms a Year 1 to 6 parish religious education program. It is designed to help parish educators facilitate student learning with the support of the family within the parish.

This program is offered as an aid in introducing children to the Sacrament of Penance. The elements of freedom to choose, life in community, recognising sin, seeking and accepting forgiveness, appreciating the presence and work of Jesus Christ, celebrating Sacraments, continuing to grow in the life of God, are addressed in the program in ways which are intended to help young children to prepare for this Sacrament. Their capacity to work readily with these faith concepts is limited to their ages and experiences. They will grow in their understanding of sin and experience of grace as they continue to grow in the life of the Church.

Preparing to Receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist

The Eucharist is at the heart of the life of the Church. The Eucharist is not on the fringes of our common life, it is its centre. It is the expression of who we are as the Church – the body of Christ. Since the Second Vatican Council we have referred to the celebration of the Eucharist, or Mass as the source and summit of the whole life of the Church.

Preparing to Receive the Sacrament of Confirmation

This program of preparation for the Confirmation aims at leading young Christians toward a more intimate union with Christ and the life-giving action and gifts of the Holy Spirit. It seeks to awaken in them a sense of belonging to a parish community and the broader Catholic Church. This program aims at preparing the students to accept their responsibility as witnesses to Jesus Christ and encourage them to share more completely in his mission.

Guidelines prepared by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) providing support for people experiencing disabilities.

Professional Learning

‘The Church calls catechists to be witnesses to Jesus Christ in their interactions with students and in their preparation of lessons. The Church calls then not only to assist students to grow in faith but also to continue their own faith formation.’
Denis J. Hart DD Archbishop of Melbourne

Catechists and parish educators are strongly encouraged to attend professional learning with the school’s Religious Education leader as a team, to build and strengthen strong parish-school relationships. Professional Learning activities available include:

Catechists participating in all nine days of the above professional learning activities, in addition to the completion of one faith formation elective from Catholic Theological College, Yarra Theological Union or Australian Catholic University will be eligible to receive the Archbishop’s Catechist Diploma Certificate. This diploma will be conferred on successful participants during a celebratory Mass in November 2018.

Contact the Catholic Identity team via email cire@cem.edu.au or ph: (03) 9267 0228 to register for one of the professional learning activities.

Liturgy HelpLiturgy Help provides easy access for parishes, schools and other Catholic communities to the wealth of the Church’s liturgical texts; making it faster and easier to prepare materials for liturgy and prayer.
Paid subscription.

Together at One Altar
This resource is designed for Australian children Prep to Yr. 12 to develop their formation in the Eucharist and help assist in their full active and conscious participation in its celebration

The Summit
The Summit Online provides insightful commentaries on the seasons, ministries and pastoral celebration of the Church's liturgy and Children’s Liturgy of the Word; as well as liturgical notes for homilists, music suggestions and videos, and weekly reflections on the Sunday gospels. Free.

Praying with colour
This website offers ideas for leading workshops in this area and has many handouts to download for use. There is a particular emphasis on the liturgical seasons.

Faithsing
This website has a huge array of Christian music and songs to download for free.

Liturgy Ritual prayer
This website provides relevant and enriching resources for liturgy, ritual, prayer and meditation for children, youth and adults. It offers support and guidance to their members. Membership Fee:$350.00 per parish per year.

The Emmaus Series
A series of DVD presentations and reflections on the Sunday readings by Australian theologian Rev.Dr. John Thornhill for adult faith formation in the Catholic Church.

Parish e-newsletter
New weekly e newsletter to cater for people working in parishes. Produced by Jesuit communications, this resource offers support for their parish websites, newsletters and liturgies.

While Good News for Catechists is no longer produced, previous editions are available for reference online. This publication contains articles on prayer, scripture, reflections on the liturgical season of the year and suggestions for Children’s Liturgy of the Word.